The Toronto Student Transportation Group is an initiative between both the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Board. Our goal is to ensure the health and safety of our students through various modes of transportation and to help families make informed decisions regarding their transportation choices when accessing education here in Toronto.
Spotlight
The School Bus – How a Bluebird Bus is Made
Ever wonder how a school bus was made? The school bus is the safest mode of trans-portation used today to provide transportation for students to and from school. Unlike other vehicles on the road there are specific features built into the bus as a means to ensure the safety of passengers. This includes the high back energy absorbing seats, shatter proof windows, compartmentalization, and other industry specific features that enhances the safety for passengers while travelling on the bus. Did you notice that there are no other vehicles painted ‘school bus yellow’ on the road. Yes, there are varying degrees of yellow paints found on cars but the specific colour you see on a school bus is unique to the industry and not allowed to be used on other vehicles.
This is to help other vehicles on the road and pedestrians easily identify a school bus on the road. Why a black hood on the school bus? Unlike the United States the hoods on a Canadian school bus is painted matte black in order to reduce the glare from the sun bouncing off the hood into the drivers eyes. The fine for passing a school bus with it’s stop arm extended and lights flashing? On first offence you can be fined $400 to $2000 and six demerit points.
Now you know how a school bus is built. Safe Travelling!
“Every bus Blue Bird builds is custom made, no two school buses on the assembly line are exactly alike.”
Current News
As the 2018-19 school year winds down, we want to take this opportunity to provide you with updates for next school year. Please see the attached spring newsletter for important transportation information for families of students who rely on school bus transportation.
Both the TDSB and TCDSB have made changes to their Transportation policies. It is important that you confirm your transportation information prior to the start of the next school year. You can do this by:
1. Logging into the transportation portal in mid-August for updated information
2. Contacting the Toronto Student Transportation Group office over the summer or contacting your child’s school the week of August 26th
Please note that any changes to your child’s student transportation information for September should be communicated to your local school.
The safety and well-being of all students is always our first priority. The Toronto Student Transportation Group reviews the performance of all transportation providers on an ongoing basis. As a result of this, and the typical reorganization of routes and drivers that takes place every year, you may have a new school bus operator providing service for your family come September.
All of our school bus companies will be working throughout the coming months to ensure a full complement of bus drivers for the start of the school year in September.
Best wishes for a safe and relaxing summer.
Regards,
Toronto Student Transportation Group
Due to the fire at York Memorial the transportation office will be closed on Tuesday May 7th. If you have inquiries please send to transportation@torontoschoolbus.org so we can respond to to your inquiry. Buses are not impacted. (excluding York Memorial buses)
Information
- TSTG Spring 2019 Newsletter
- TSTG Fall 2018 Newsletter
- New parent guide to transportation
- Safety Guide for School Children & Parents
- Access To Education
- Parent Safety Program (Kiss n Ride)
- Preparing Your Child for Using Public Transit Safely
- Purple Equals Parent Program
- Transportation Brochure
- Transportation Brochure For Students With Special Needs
- Safe Streets Guide 2016
- TSTG Policy Operation Manual revised 2018
- Toronto Effectiveness and Efficiency Report 2011
- Auditor General Report 2015
- Ontario Ombudsman Report on Student Transportation
Fast Facts
- Number of buses: 1816
- Number of students transported: 56,617
- Total distance traveled: 71,241 km
- Annual budget: $90 M
- Number of carriers: 7
- Change requests each September: 1400
